Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Once we made the decision to visit the stunning island of Oahu in Hawaii, the next question was whether to stay at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Given its status as one of the most famous beaches globally, it felt like the perfect choice.
However, when we sought advice on social media, the responses were varied.
Some recommended skipping Waikiki Beach in favor of Ko Olina or the North Shore, while others expressed that Waikiki was the highlight of their Hawaiian experience.
After some discussion, we opted to spend three nights at Waikiki Beach and four nights at Ko Olina Beach. This plan would allow us to enjoy the vibrancy of Waikiki and Honolulu while also experiencing a more tranquil setting away from the city (we traveled in December).
Honolulu was far larger than we anticipated, and we expected it to be substantial.
Is it worth it to stay at Waikiki Beach?
When visiting Oahu, a trip to Waikiki Beach is a must, even if it’s just for a day. As Hawaii’s most famous beach, it’s essential to see it firsthand.
That said, let’s delve deeper into the question: “Should you stay at Waikiki Beach?”
Travel is inherently personal; what suits us might not suit you, and the opposite is also true. It’s challenging to answer this without knowing your travel preferences and priorities.
After spending a few nights at Waikiki Beach, we find ourselves uncertain about returning in the future.
We stayed at the luxurious Alohilani Resort, conveniently situated on Kalakaua Avenue, right across from Waikiki Beach. Our experience at this hotel was delightful. It’s a lovely property, and the rooftop pool bar and lounge provide a unique atmosphere. Plus, our hotel room featured breathtaking oceanfront views of Waikiki Beach (see the photo below).
Interestingly, we found ourselves back at Waikiki Beach twice during this trip because our return flight home was canceled. More on that story can be found here.
Note – Hawaiian Airlines is currently offering attractive flight deals to Hawaii.
The photo above shows the view of the beach from our balcony at Alohilani Resort. Unfortunately, our first few days in Oahu were marred by heavy rain, causing significant street flooding.
You might think that our less-than-ideal experience staying at Waikiki Beach was primarily due to the poor weather, and you would be correct. In all honesty, this might color our perspective.
That said, we spent two additional sunny days at Waikiki Beach later in our trip.
That’s a considerable amount of rain! We were informed that street flooding in Honolulu is common during heavy storms.
Of course, adverse weather shouldn’t deter you from staying at Waikiki Beach, as many parts of Oahu experienced rain during our trip. Remember, it’s a tropical island in the Pacific Ocean, so storms can happen.
Related post – Explore Photos of Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club, Oahu
What We Enjoyed About Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach, along with Honolulu, has much to offer. Designed for tourists, it provides the amenities and comforts visitors expect from a popular destination.
Here are a few highlights we appreciated about Waikiki Beach:
- A wide range of hotel options. There’s something for everyone in Honolulu, from budget-friendly to luxurious resorts. We enjoyed our stays at both Alohilani Resort and Marriott Waikiki Resort, and highly recommend them.
- Rooftop pools and lounges. Many hotels in Waikiki feature rooftop pools and lounges, allowing guests to bask in the Hawaiian sunshine.
- An abundance of dining choices. Kalakaua Avenue is lined with hundreds of restaurants, ranging from familiar chains to local favorites.
- Proximity to the beach. It’s hard to beat having the pristine beach just steps away from your hotel or vacation rental.
- Easy access to water activities. You can rent surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, jet skis, and sailboats or even join a sunset cruise.
- Vibrant atmosphere. The energy in Waikiki is contagious, with music spilling out from restaurants, bars, and shops. You’ll see motorcycles and luxury sports cars cruising Kalakaua Avenue, adding to the lively experience.
- Centrally located for activities. Waikiki Beach is not short on things to do, including the Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Kapiolani Park, guided tours, helicopter tours, hikes to Diamond Head Crater, and shopping at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
Waikiki Aquarium
If you find yourself on Oahu during a rainy day, a visit to the Waikiki Aquarium is a fantastic family activity. It’s conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel strip, near the Honolulu Zoo.
The aquarium is relatively small, taking just about an hour to explore fully. Admission is reasonably priced at $12 for adults and $5 for children.
Our kids loved the rooftop infinity pool at Alohilani Resort, despite the water being quite chilly.
This is the rooftop restaurant and lounge at Alohilani Resort.
What We Did Not Enjoy About Waikiki Beach
While we had a good time at Waikiki Beach, there were several aspects we found disappointing during our stay.
- High levels of crowding. Many taxi and Uber drivers mentioned that Oahu is still facing tourism challenges. With travel restrictions affecting a significant number of Japanese tourists, Waikiki Beach felt busy during our visit. I can only imagine how crowded it will become once international travel rebounds.
- Waikiki Beach feels overly commercialized. Waikiki is a globally recognized beach and Oahu is a sought-after destination. While some tourism is expected, we found it leaner towards the excessively touristy side. The energy is reminiscent of Las Vegas, with rooftop pool parties blasting music until late and boisterous guests enjoying the nightlife.
- Heavy traffic congestion. Being a major city comes with its challenges, including significant traffic issues. Plan for delays if you wish to venture outside of Waikiki.
- Homelessness and drug issues. The beachfront promenade often serves as a makeshift home for individuals struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues. During our walks, we encountered aggressive behavior and unsanitary conditions, making us feel uneasy, especially with children at night.
- High costs. Due to imported goods, prices tend to be steep in Hawaii, compounded by the current weakness of the Canadian dollar.
It doesn’t feel like a typical Hawaiian experience.
Having previously visited Maui and Molokai, those islands felt distinctly more Hawaiian and embodied the Aloha spirit. Unfortunately, Waikiki Beach lacked that authentic vibe, feeling overly commercialized and developed.
Related – Travel to Molokai: Recommendations and Tips
The iconic Duke Kahanamoku statue at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu.
This is the beach view from our balcony at Marriott Waikiki Resort.
Strolling through Surfboard Alley at Waikiki Beach.
Are you following us on Instagram? We’d love to connect!
Should You Stay at Waikiki Beach?
Let’s revisit the central question.
Clearly, providing an answer requires knowing more about you, your travel style, and your objectives for your Hawaiian getaway.
Are you interested in learning to surf? Enjoy shopping at high-end retail stores? Seeking nightlife and pool parties? If so, Waikiki Beach might be the perfect fit.
If you’re looking for affordable hotels or vacation rentals, you’ll find plenty of options in Waikiki and Honolulu.
However, if you prefer a serene beach experience and a relaxed Hawaiian atmosphere, you may want to consider staying in other parts of Oahu.
Oahu is quite large, offering a range of choices such as Waimanalo, Kailua, Lanikai, Waialua, and the North Shore.
We spent some time at Ko Olina Beach, which felt considerably more peaceful than Waikiki. Although, keep in mind that Ko Olina is also quite developed and pricey, similar to the Wailea area in Maui.
Above: Hotels and apartment buildings at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.
Do You Need to Rent a Car in Honolulu?
This time around, we chose not to rent a car due to soaring prices stemming from shortages. Considering the daily rental fee, gas, insurance, and nightly parking, we estimated it would amount to over $1,500 USD for the week (roughly $2,000 CAD) for a compact vehicle.
It’s a tough choice.
Looking back at our trip, we wish we had ventured out more and explored beyond the busy Waikiki hotel district and resort areas.
We relied on Uber and taxis for transportation, which proved to be costly as well. For example, our ride from Ko Olina to Honolulu Airport (a 25-minute drive) set us back $75 USD.
If you plan to rent a car and explore Oahu, staying in Waikiki might be the most convenient option for you.
Just be aware that hotels typically charge more for parking, often at least $40 per night for luxury accommodations.
Read More Blog Posts About Hawaii:
Have you had the chance to visit Oahu? What are your thoughts?
Would you recommend staying at Waikiki Beach?
We welcome your insights in the comments below. Our readers appreciate your input!
